Sheraton Waikiki

Driving down by the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, to the combined entrances of the Sheration Wakiki and the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, I was greeted to the familiar site of the trumvate Sheraton Waikiki, the largest hotel in Waikiki, and one of my favorites in the world. I made my way through the shopping arcade to the huge lobby and reception counter. There were ten receptionists working, and still there was a queue. I had a wait of 7 or 8 minutes before being attended to. My reservation was located promptly, and I was given key cards to Room 620, an oceanfront room. The hotel has a number of categories of rooms, ocean front, ocean views, mountain views, city views, and the Manor wing. I went to the lift lobby and caught one of the 11 lifts. It was really nicely decorated, a smart move, as it is the first impression for guests of their accommodations. Up to the sixth floor, and then quite a walk around to Room 620. As I entered there was a double wardrobe, behind sliding beige timber venetian doors, and inside there was a safe (complimentary), iron and ironing board, a luggage rack, and a spare pillow, along with spacious hanging room. To the left was the bathroom. A combined shower/bath (the shower spout was excellent and capable of deliverying really good showers), a toilet in the middle and a dressing bench and mirror on the right hand side. There was a hair dryer, and on the door entering there was another ( full length) mirror. There were ample towels, washers, and a bath towel, and good guest amenities, although the conditioner, like some hotels, was so thick it was hard to get out.

Into the room proper, a good quality parchment type wallpaper, pastel colored drapes and bedspread, perhaps a little tired. There was a king size bed with 3 pillows, a decorative timber headboard, two bedside tables (also timber), and two excellent prints above the head board. Opposite there was a long wooden bench which contained two sets of drawers, a cane chair, another dressing mirror, a lamp and TV. Alongside that was a mini-fridge with snacks, drinks (including alcoholic beverages), and confectionary. On top was an ice bucket, 4 glasses, and complimentary tea and coffee making facilities. There was also a wall-mounted air conditioner, which looked new, and a table with two more arm chairs. There was a phone on one of the bedside tables, which had a side data port, and a digital clock radio on the other. Internet access was only through the phone, and as it was a long way from the table, there were two choices. One to set up the laptop on the bed, or the other to run a long Internet connection cable to reach the table. Then of course there was the balcony and full length and width glass sliding doors. There was a smal table and two chairs, one with a foot stool, and a panoramic view of the ocean, with palm trees stretching up from the pool area. Down below was the hotel's main pool, and at night when the entertainment starts you can either sit on your balcony and enjoy the show, or go downstairs and sit around the pool or the bar. There was Hawaiian music, through local entertainers every night from around 6pm to just after 8pm. In the room was a little magazine called Kalahea, which was for the current month (Kalahea means 'to announce' in Hawaiian). It told of the various bars, restaurants, entertainment and activities at the four Sheraton Hotels on Waikiki beach. I read of a show at the Espirit Nightclub at the Sheraton Waikiki of 'An Evening with the music of Sinatra', however when I arrived at 7.45pm for the start, the club was empty. There was no show. Outside was a sign saying 'Rhonda' from New Zealand was doing a show on the Friday and Saturday nights. However that didn' appear to be happening either. I then saw somewhere that 'Rhonda' was on Saturday nights. Obviously things had changed, there wasn't any action so I moved on. I then saw a sign about the Hanohano Room on the 30th floor of the Sheration Waikiki. I couldn't work out though whether it was a restaurant, or just a bar area. The signs weren't helpful although one of the photos showed a couple dining. One however was eating with chopsticks, so I didn't know whether it was an Asian restaurant, a restaurant at all, or a bar, or a general restaurant. Anyway I caught the lift to the 30th floor, and what a great experience it was. The room was set for fine dining, with breathtaking views over Waikiki, and a 3 piece trio performing on stage. I looked at the menu and selected a 4 course table d'hote meal, which comprised a shrimp cocktail, chicken consomme, prime rib of beef, and pavlova, for $54. It was an excellent night, and the room a real feature of the hotel. Having stayed many times previous though, it was the first I knew of it. The hotel's internal publicity and promotion really needs a good work over.

The hotel, as usual I found friendly, welcoming, with great facilities, a good choice of eateries, excellent entertainment, a large pool with bar, and a smaller pool, both overlooking the beach.